Troubleshoot Surface sound and audio accessories

If you're having trouble with the sound, volume, audio playback, or recording on your Surface—or if you're having trouble with an audio accessory like headphones, external speakers, or a mic—here are some things to try.

Things to try first

Remove obstructions

Make sure nothing is obstructing the speaker and microphone openings on your Surface, including screen protectors or decals. If you're not sure where the speaker and mic openings are, see Surface features.

Check audio accessory connections

If you can hear sound from your Surface speakers but can’t hear sound from an accessory, make sure the accessory is working and is connected properly.

Try using the accessory with a different device.

Check that the cables connecting your Surface to the accessory are plugged in securely. If the connection is secure but you still can’t hear sound from the accessory, try using different cables.

Close all audio apps, then remove any accessory cables from your Surface and the accessory and reconnect them.

Make sure accessories that use Bluetooth® wireless technology are paired correctly with your Surface.

Audio accessories: Adjust the volume on the headset, speakers, phone, or other audio accessory or adjust it in the software included with the accessory. To learn more about adjusting volume levels, check the info that came with your accessory or go to the manufacturer's website.

Apps: Some apps have a volume control within the app.

Notes

The volume button on your Surface and the desktop volume setting in the taskbar work together. If you raise, lower, or mute the setting in one, the volume level in the other will change, too.

Volume controls in apps and on accessories such as headphones and external speakers may work independently of the controls built into your Surface. You may need to adjust the volume level in more than one place.

Check the quality of the recording

If the sound quality coming from your speakers or an audio accessory isn't good, it's possible the audio recording itself isn't of good quality. Try listening to the same recording on a different device.

Adjust microphone settings

If people have trouble hearing you when you’re using the mic or if you have trouble recording sound, try adjusting your mic settings:

Go to Start > Settings > Sound > Sound control panel.

Select the Recording tab, select the mic you want, and select Properties. Be sure to select a mic that's enabled and connected to your Surface.

Select the Levels tab. You'll see two sliders.

Microphone: Controls the mic’s volume.

Microphone Boost: Controls the strength of the mic's input signal.

Note

Your device might not have the Microphone Boost slider. You can use the Microphone slider instead.

Adjust the sliders until your mic is recording at the levels you want. The levels you'll use will vary depending on the amount of background noise and on whether you're using the mic that’s built into your Surface or an external mic. A good starting point is to set Microphone to 50 and Microphone Boost to +24.0 dB.

If you’re still having problems, go to Solution 1.

Solution 1: Get the latest updates

In many cases, downloading and installing the latest updates for Windows and your Surface will fix the issue. To see how, go to Install Surface and Windows updates. If you're still having problems, go to Solution 2.

Solution 2: Restart your Surface

Go to Start > Power > Restart.

After your Surface has restarted and you've signed back into Windows, try listening to something (play music or a video) on the built-in speakers and try recording something using the built-in mic.

If you’re still having problems, go to Solution 3.

Solution 3: Check your sound settings

In the Sound section, select the device you want to use for playback (for example, the built-in speakers on your Surface, external speakers, or a headset), as your output device. When you select this device, you’re also setting it as the default.

In the Input section, select the device you want to use for recording (for example, the built-in mic or an external mic), as your input device. When you select this device, you’re also setting it as the default.

If you are using a communications app, like Skype, you may want to set your communications device separately when using speakers or a headset. Here’s how to set a communications device:

Go to Start , and then select Settings > Sound > Sound control panel.

Do either or both of the following:

Select the Playback tab, select the device you want to use for communications playback (for example, the built-in speakers on your Surface, external speakers, or a headset), and then select Set Default Communication Device.

Select the Recording tab, select the device you want to use for communications recording (for example, the built-in mic or an external mic), and then select Set Default Communication Device.

If things still aren't working right, go to Solution 4.

Solution 4: Run troubleshooters

Try running the automated troubleshooters. These tools can find and fix problems with sound:

Solution 5: Force shutdown

Solution 6: Restore or reset your Surface

If you're still having audio problems, try restoring or resetting your Surface. To find out how, see Restore or reset Surface.

Need more help?

If the speakers or mics that are built into your Surface still don’t work as well as they should, or if your volume rocker remains locked after resetting your Surface, your Surface may need service. Go to Get my Surface fixed.

If you've tried these solutions but your audio accessory still isn't working, contact the accessory manufacturer for support.